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IFAW 2008 Seal Hunt Press Coverage

Canadian seal hunters bemoan low prices, from UPI

"Some Canadian seal hunters in Newfoundland say they aren't sure low pelt prices and high gas costs make going to sea worthwhile later this month.

"While hunting resumed Monday off New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the upcoming hunt along Newfoundland's northeastern shore isn't as appealing to seasonal fishermen, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported."

"New rules adopted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to ensure seals are killed humanely should be accompanied by better training for sealers, says a member of the veterinary panel that looked into the issue.

"A group of nine veterinarians from Canada, the U.S. and Europe met in August 2005 to look at ways to minimize or eliminate suffering of animals during the seal hunt. One of the recommendations was a three-step process for killing, including bleeding the animal after it has been clubbed or shot."

"I am asking you at take a hard look at yourselves and your leaders. Why are you allowing a barbaric act such as the clubbing to death of baby animals in the presence of their mothers to take place in your community? Babies that have not yet had a chance to take their first swim.

"It is not going to provide you with any long lasting solutions for your life long problems: for example; high unemployment, lack of training and opportunities. Rather "clubbing" your local politicians will bring about these positive changes. If politicians started to do their job, think creatively and work, it would help you to find dignifying work and repair Canada's image."

Comments: 68

Anonymous

6 years ago

Rick, please express yourself without calling other people names. That's all I ask... otherwise you're free to express your opinions. I'm not singling you out, and I've removed a number of 'name-calling' attacks, but they're difficult to keep up with.

Anonymous

6 years ago

We shouldnt think that just because we are humans, we are above all other animals and have the right to treat them in any way we wish.
Yes hunting is part of the food chain and has been for many years. Clubbing little helpless baby seals is totally unnecessary. Baby seals are targeted just because of their fur. Lets not forget about all the other animals that became endangered because of this attitude... Gorillas, Elephants, Tigers, and so many other animals beautiful in their own unique ways. All have been exploited. Poeple need to learn the difference between exploitation and the real food chain in hunting. There is a BIG difference between the two. The right balance without cruelty. I really shouldnt have to explain. People will do anything these days to make money. Makes me wonder where they draw the line. If my husband clubbed seals and came home putting the cash in my hand, i know i wouldnt want that money. I would have blood on my hands. My husband is not that way, and always works towards keeping the wildlife we have here. And that makes me very proud of him. When we have children it will be something we will teach them. Respect.

Anonymous

6 years ago

Thank you, Deb,again....
You are soo right !!!
Every country has it's own animal scandals...
we in germany,too...
but what we are watching from Canada's harp seal slaughtering is the most bad we have ever,ever seen and the cruel behaviour of these baby-killers is representative for the whole country Canada and many,many people here are so shocked, that they will never travel again for holidays to this country, also not buy Canadian products incl. CD's from Canadian musicians...
This seal war is simply not good for Canada's reputation,
but the Canadian government and it's followers have only one thing in the head.....
money, money, money....
it does'n matter where it comes from...
It's a sad development !!!
And always the animals must suffer.
We don't accept this and we continue to fight against this barbaric massacre to the little seals...
We do all we can to prevail a ban from the European commission !!!

Anonymous

6 years ago

Thank you, Deb....for your report.
It's a consolation to know, that there are still OTHER- thinking and -doing people in Canada and that not EVERY fisherman is a baby-murderer.
I hope there are more men like your husband !!!
Wish your family all the best !!!!

Anonymous

6 years ago

My husband is a fisherman, and yes the pay in not brilliant, but he wouldnt go seal hunting. I have seen how these seals suffer, and how it can take as long as 45 mins+ for a seal to die. Some are even hit once but escape under water.. injured badly, and obviously will die later... making its suffering even longer. And this is what goes on every year. My husband is native canadian, (1st Nations) It is part of his traditional food. But we do not beieve in clubbing them to death. The numbers of seals killed are also unacceptable. This is not part of the food chain. The seals are not used for food, the fur is taken and the rest of the seal is left to rot. This is a huge waste. And companies like Prada, D&G etc.. all the big fashion names buy the fur to make big money from people who have more money than brains. And this is the exploitation the government will not stop because they stand to make money.. just like with anything else oil etc. I am a fishermans wife, and yeah its hard sometimes, but we make the effort to find ways of being self sufficent etc. Bashing seals on the head is not an option. There is always plenty of food and fish on the table etc, we do not see a need to seal hunt. And I certainly never will enjoy watching the fashion industry profit from killing baby seals for their fur. In some contries its a tradition to cut certain body parts off... but we dont all think its a good idea do we?? Geez! Wake up and smell the coffee!!! Anyone can exploit animals. But that doesnt make it right. There are ways of making a living without seal hunting. Plenty of animals are hunted humainly.. but this is not one of them. When my husband goes out and hunts a dear, he uses all the meat there is on it and it lasts us for months on end. Everything is used and nothing is discarded and left to rot, like I have seen many seals being left to rot without their fur. It is just plain wrong.

Anonymous

6 years ago

Hey Matt , I am Canadian from the east coast and I know what it's like . You guys don't have a leg to stand on when your own people are against it and support the rest of the world in putting an end to the hunt .

Anonymous

6 years ago

Ines, I love you !!!
Thank you for your true and attested comments.
You are writing down what lots of people in Europe are also thinking !!!

Anonymous

6 years ago

Matt M + Justin Parsons:
Looks like you guys are taking over this thread by posting your ridiculous comments to fool the rest of the world and being such proud Newfoundlanders. Have fun in trying to bullXXXX other people here. You Newfoundlanders are as arrogant and ignorant as the rest of Canada.
You'll see how important Europe is to Canada by the time the ban of seal products is introduced. And funny how and in fact we already did: a delegation from Canada, headed by this silly Loyola guy travelling Europe to convince the EU countries not to ban seal products. Do I see here a “tiny” flicker of worry? Hm... so Europe is not important, hey.....?! You might still soak China (a country far away from civilization and just look what is happening in Tibet, scandalous!) in seal pelt. Russia is on it's good way to reconsider the slaughter of seals and that of course will also result in a ban one day.
And stop whining that the "poor" fishermen need this extra income to survive. We all know how much they get (peanuts) for the annual, traditional, commercial Canadian seal slaughter and this is even more ridiculous that the hunt hasn't stopped yet. Quit finding reasons to justify this massacre.
And on this occasion I love to quote "Danuta Sobczyk" in the "Coaster" and she is so damn right: http://www.thecoaster.ca/index.cfm?sid=124270&sc=...
"Work for the future and leave the job of seal hunting for the tales of Canadian history. The sooner you start "clubbing" your local politicians the sooner they will start helping you"
Have a great time and weekend. You deserve it :-))
Best wishes
Ines from France

Anonymous

6 years ago

Another thing I must point out.
All of you protesters haven't lives in the shoes of a fisherman or sealer here in Newfoundland. Maybe, if you weren't so stubborn and thick headed, you'd listen to reason. No, I'm not a fisherman or sealer myself, but I live in this province and I am well aware of what's going on.
You see the act of killing the seals as cruelty. Those fisherman see it as a means of money so they can support there families. You can't just tell that person that he can get a better job, because you obviously don't understand the circumstances.
Next time, study the issue. Don't just shoot your mouth because you believe it's sad to see an animal get killed for means of survival.

Anonymous

6 years ago

I am new to this post but I have to say I do not and will never support the seal hunt , being born and raised in New Foundland it's sad that some of my fellow people can't see the cruelty in these hunts. I had a close friendfrom school who's father had said many times it's in our blood.....these are people that refuse to grow with the times ...There are other jobs if they would look for them ..
The bottom line is these fisherman (seal hunters) are not going to change until they are forced to ... Our government doesn't care about them and most of us realize this now ,